{"slug":"peruvian-style-tofu-with-creamy-cilantro-sauce","collection":"michael","is_recipe":true,"visibility":"public","title":"Peruvian-Style Tofu With Creamy Cilantro Sauce","description":"Cumin-and-paprika marinated tofu planks grilled until charred, served with a bright, creamy blender sauce of cilantro, scallion, avocado, and serrano.","body_md":"\n## Ingredients\n\n### For the Tofu\n\n- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil\n- 2 tbsp soy sauce\n- 2 tsp Diamond Crystal or 1¼ tsp Morton kosher salt\n- 2 tsp ground cumin\n- 2 tsp sugar\n- 2 tsp paprika\n- Freshly ground pepper\n- 2 blocks (397g/14oz each) firm tofu, drained\n\n### For the Sauce and Assembly\n\n- 1 bunch cilantro, bottom 1\" of stems removed, cut into 2\" pieces\n- 6 scallions, cut into 2\" pieces\n- ½ avocado, pit removed, peeled, halved\n- 1 serrano chile, stem removed\n- 1 small garlic clove\n- 60ml (¼ cup) fresh lime juice\n- 60ml (¼ cup) mayonnaise\n- ½ tsp ground cumin\n- 60ml (¼ cup) water\n- Vegetable oil (for grill)\n\n## Instructions\n\n### Marinate the Tofu\n\n1. Mix the olive oil, soy sauce, salt, cumin, sugar, and paprika in a 13x9\" baking dish to combine; season generously with freshly ground pepper. Cut each block of tofu into 4–6 planks; transfer to the dish and turn to coat each side evenly in the marinade.\n2. Arrange the tofu in a single layer; cover with plastic wrap and let sit at least 30 minutes and up to 12 hours (chill if marinating longer than 30 minutes; no need to bring to room temperature before grilling).\n\n### Make the Sauce\n\n3. While the tofu marinates, blend the cilantro, scallions, avocado, serrano, garlic, lime juice, mayonnaise, cumin, and water in a blender until mostly smooth (some flecks of cilantro are okay).\n4. Transfer the cilantro sauce to a small bowl and cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly against the surface (this slows oxidation). Chill until ready to serve.\n\n### Grill and Assemble\n\n5. Prepare a grill for medium-high heat; generously oil the grate with vegetable oil. Remove the tofu from the marinade, letting excess drip back into the dish, and grill until deep brown marks appear underneath, about 5 minutes.\n6. Carefully turn over (a fish or stiff metal spatula will help coax it off the grate); grill until deep brown marks appear underneath, about 5 minutes more.\n7. Transfer the tofu to a platter and serve with the cilantro sauce alongside.\n\n## Notes\n\n- The sauce can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.\n","draft":false,"servings":"6","prep_time":"15 minutes","cook_time":"10 minutes","total_time":"40 minutes","created_at":"2026-06-13T14:08:00Z","categories":["Main"],"tags":["Grilled","Peruvian","Spicy","Tofu","Vegetarian"],"methods":["Grilled"],"themes":["Vegetarian"],"ingredients":[{"section":"For the Tofu","items":["- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil","- 2 tbsp soy sauce","- 2 tsp Diamond Crystal or 1¼ tsp Morton kosher salt","- 2 tsp ground cumin","- 2 tsp sugar","- 2 tsp paprika","- Freshly ground pepper","- 2 blocks (397g/14oz each) firm tofu, drained"],"parsed":[{"raw":"- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil","qty":2,"unit":"tbsp","item":"extra-virgin olive oil"},{"raw":"- 2 tbsp soy sauce","qty":2,"unit":"tbsp","item":"soy sauce"},{"raw":"- 2 tsp Diamond Crystal or 1¼ tsp Morton kosher salt","qty":2,"unit":"tsp","item":"Diamond Crystal or 1¼ tsp Morton kosher salt"},{"raw":"- 2 tsp ground cumin","qty":2,"unit":"tsp","item":"ground cumin"},{"raw":"- 2 tsp sugar","qty":2,"unit":"tsp","item":"sugar"},{"raw":"- 2 tsp paprika","qty":2,"unit":"tsp","item":"paprika"},{"raw":"- Freshly ground pepper","item":"Freshly ground pepper"},{"raw":"- 2 blocks (397g/14oz each) firm tofu, drained","qty":2,"item":"blocks firm tofu","prep":"drained"}]},{"section":"For the Sauce and Assembly","items":["- 1 bunch cilantro, bottom 1\" of stems removed, cut into 2\" pieces","- 6 scallions, cut into 2\" pieces","- ½ avocado, pit removed, peeled, halved","- 1 serrano chile, stem removed","- 1 small garlic clove","- 60ml (¼ cup) fresh lime juice","- 60ml (¼ cup) mayonnaise","- ½ tsp ground cumin","- 60ml (¼ cup) water","- Vegetable oil (for grill)"],"parsed":[{"raw":"- 1 bunch cilantro, bottom 1\" of stems removed, cut into 2\" pieces","qty":1,"unit":"bunch","item":"cilantro, bottom 1\" of stems removed, cut into 2\" pieces"},{"raw":"- 6 scallions, cut into 2\" pieces","qty":6,"item":"scallions","prep":"cut into 2\" pieces"},{"raw":"- ½ avocado, pit removed, peeled, halved","qty":0.5,"item":"avocado, pit removed, peeled, halved"},{"raw":"- 1 serrano chile, stem removed","qty":1,"item":"serrano chile, stem removed"},{"raw":"- 1 small garlic clove","qty":1,"item":"small garlic clove"},{"raw":"- 60ml (¼ cup) fresh lime juice","qty":60,"unit":"ml","item":"fresh lime juice"},{"raw":"- 60ml (¼ cup) mayonnaise","qty":60,"unit":"ml","item":"mayonnaise"},{"raw":"- ½ tsp ground cumin","qty":0.5,"unit":"tsp","item":"ground cumin"},{"raw":"- 60ml (¼ cup) water","qty":60,"unit":"ml","item":"water"},{"raw":"- Vegetable oil (for grill)","item":"Vegetable oil"}]}],"servings_int":6,"qc":{"status":"passed","last_checked_at":"2026-07-30T02:07:18.807402Z","checked_by":"robert@sigler.io","standard_version":"2026-07-29","findings_count":0,"stale":false}}